NEW DELHI, November 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is spending Diwali with security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Sunday morning. In a post on X, he said he was going to “salute our brave security personnel for their sacrifices, selfless service and unwavering devotion to the nation”, describing Bastar as an area “where Naxalism once held sway and now, development is flourishing”.
Key highlights
- Where: Bastar in southern Chhattisgarh, long the centre of Left-wing extremist (Naxal) violence.
- What: the Prime Minister is celebrating Diwali with security forces and paying tribute to their sacrifices.
- His message: “This is an area where Naxalism once held sway and now, development is flourishing.”
- Greetings: earlier on Sunday, Mr Modi wished citizens a happy Diwali.
- Elsewhere: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spent Diwali with farmers in Lohari Sawanga village near Nagpur, a gesture the Prime Minister praised.
| Leader | Where on Diwali | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Minister Narendra Modi | With security personnel in Bastar, Chhattisgarh | PMO, November 8 |
| Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (Diwali eve) | With Army and Air Force personnel at Sukna and Bagdogra, West Bengal | Ministry of Defence, November 7 |
| Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis | With farmers in Lohari Sawanga village, Narkhed, Nagpur | PMO, November 8 |
Why Bastar matters
The Bastar region was for decades one of the main strongholds of Naxal insurgents, and security forces, including central armed police, have carried out long operations there. By choosing Bastar for Diwali, the Prime Minister is highlighting the role of these forces and the government’s message that development is replacing conflict. On Diwali eve, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also spent time with troops in north Bengal, as we reported in our story on his visit.
A Diwali of tributes
The day also marks Bharat Ratna L.K. Advani’s entry into his 100th year, which the Prime Minister marked with an article, covered in our report. In Maharashtra, Mr Fadnavis stayed at the home of farmers Arunabai and Rambhau Balpande; Mr Modi called it a “very touching” gesture.
Our calculation
- Two senior Union leaders spent Diwali or its eve with security forces: the Prime Minister in Bastar and the Defence Minister in north Bengal.
What it means for India and Asia
Spending Diwali with soldiers and police has become a regular part of the Prime Minister’s festival calendar, and the choice of place carries a message. Bastar signals the government’s focus on internal security and development in central India’s tribal belt, alongside the external border focus seen in the Defence Minister’s visit near the LAC.
What to watch
- The Prime Minister’s remarks to security personnel in Bastar.
- Any development projects or announcements for the Bastar region.
- Diwali-night air quality in Delhi and other cities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with ITBP and Army personnel at Sumdo, Himachal Pradesh, during an earlier Diwali (file photo). Image: Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo source · Licence
Sources
- Prime Minister’s Office (PIB): Prime Minister to celebrate Diwali with security personnel in Bastar, November 8, 2026
- Prime Minister’s Office (PIB): Prime Minister conveys Diwali greetings to all citizens, November 8, 2026
- Prime Minister’s Office (PIB): Prime Minister appreciates Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis’s gesture of celebrating Diwali with farmers in Nagpur, November 8, 2026
The National Desk covers India's politics, governance, security and public-interest news. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
